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Videodrome

Play trailer Poster for Videodrome R 1983 1h 27m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon "Videodrome," a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.
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Videodrome

Videodrome

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Critics Consensus

Visually audacious, disorienting, and just plain weird, Videodrome's musings on technology, entertainment, and politics still feel fresh today.

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Critics Reviews

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Gary Arnold Washington Post Aug 4, 2015
Simultaneously stupefying and boring, Videodrome is too extreme a blunder to survive exposure to a justifiably disillusioned horror-movie public. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Jun 6, 2007
Film is dotted with video jargon and ideology which proves more fascinating than distancing. And Cronenberg amplifies the freaky situation with a series of stunning visual effects. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Jun 6, 2007
Never coherent and frequently pretentious, the film remains an audacious attempt to place obsessive personal images before a popular audience -- a kind of Kenneth Anger version of Star Wars. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 31, 2026
3/4
The movie’s most fascinating element is the uncanny way in which it has predicted the 21st century cycle in infotainment. Go to Full Review Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel Oct 28, 2025
4.5/5
We may not consume media by sticking a thing in a slot anymore, but in many ways, Videodrome is more relevant than ever. Especially in the idea of screens being more real to us than reality, and the way that devices mutate our humanity. Go to Full Review Joshua Stevens Loud and Clear Reviews Jun 12, 2025
Videodrome should be considered one of the auteur’s most idiosyncratic works, but it elevates itself into “classic” territory because of its timeless, pessimistic message about the consequences of addiction. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brent Jun 23, 2022 A Cronenberg Masterpiece See more Thea C @RT13659009 Oct 19, 2026 deffo a chud quest, the misogyny is real bad, and the writing and acting are worse than the fly. it's interesting that cronenberg predicted the future, like, this is about the Internet, and that the antifascists kind of win. james woods is the cis guy who got bottom surgery, and life isn't real. BECOME THE NEW FLESH See more Alex B @AlexBioni Oct 18, 2026 Samurai Dreams This movie feels more relevant today than ever. Its ideas about TV controlling minds, media violence, and technology becoming an extension of ourselves feel like a Black Mirror episode. We live in overstimulated times, making you wonder how much media shapes us. The bright colors and Halloween III vibes hooked me, and James Woods is excellent as Max, a total player. The story gets wild, with disturbing sex, snuff TV, and outrageous body horror. The hand in his belly had me losing it. I watched this with my buddy at our Halloween get together and played a drinking game every time someone said Videodrome. I started losing the plot when the lore and its effects on Max got explained. Like Candyman, it starts intriguing, then becomes a confusing psychological mind bender. Still, its ideas about technology and media controlling us hit hard. I live in Pittsburgh and want to find whoever broadcasted this and kick their a**. See more Jason H @RT50328122 Sep 7, 2026 I want to like this movie... but I don't. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 Videodrome = a *4* star movie See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 2, 2026 Definitely Recommend It See more Read all reviews
Videodrome

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Cast & Crew

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David Cronenberg

Director

James Woods

Max Renn

Debbie Harry

Nicki Brand

Sonja Smits

Bianca O'Blivion

Peter Dvorsky

Harlan

Leslie Carlson

Barry Convex

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Videodrome

Videodrome (1983) Videodrome (1983) Videodrome (1983) Videodrome (1983) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon "Videodrome," a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.
Director
David Cronenberg
Producer
Claude Héroux
Screenwriter
David Cronenberg
Distributor
Criterion Collection, Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 28, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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